Students view gender-neutral housing as step forward

The Residence Hall Government Association is considering a policy that would enact gender-neutral housing as an option in residence halls.

“We are in the beginning stages of this project and are in the process of creating a proposal to present to the Dean of Students and Student Services administration,” Stephen Goodfellow, president of RHGA, said. “In the spring, we are hoping to put together a committee of students and staff to craft and review a potential policy.”

The decision to pursue gender-neutral housing was expressed publicly at a Student Government Association meeting Nov. 13, when it was stated that currently, a transgender student would have to have a single room. The new policy would look to change that situation.

Although the RHGA will not discuss the specifics of the policy before the spring, they have expressed commitment to follow through with gender-neutral housing options. In addition, RHGA shares an adviser, Sasha Ross, with the 10 Percent Society.

The University of Michigan currently offers gender-neutral housing to students who are transgender or gender non-conforming. Some universities, such as Columbia and Ohio University, extend gender-neutral housing to LGBT students as a way to encourage safe-living conditions for these students, according to the National Student Genderblind Campaign.

“This allows students who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming the ability to choose a roommate of any gender,” according to the University of Michigan Housing website.

The University of Michigan uses the National Center for Transgender Equality definition of gender non-conforming and gender expression, which states “gender non-conforming is a term for individuals whose gender expression is different from societal expectations related to gender. Gender expression is the external manifestation of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through ‘masculine,’ ‘feminine’ or gender-variant behavior, clothing, haircut, voice or body characteristics.”

Along with gender-neutral housing, the University of Michigan also provides gender-neutral restrooms.

It is unknown whether  RHGA will consider such extensive options.

Ten Percent Society co-President Calli Oberembt, a senior, said she views a gender-neutral housing policy as a step forward.

“It sounds good,” Oberembt said. “Integration would be a great solution.”

However, Oberembt said she is skeptical of the policy.

“That makes me a little bit suspicious, that kind of solution,” she said. “To me it sounds like an excuse to integrate the dorms, making co-ed dorms and labeling them gender blind.”

Despite possible motivations for writing gender-neutral housing policies, Oberembt said she believes the policies could benefit transgender students.

“We do need a policy in place for transgender students,” Oberembt said.